How to spend a solo Christmas in the Canary Islands

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There’s something quite amusing about lying by the pool – Aperol Spritz in one hand, Ambre Solaire in the other – watching the sun’s golden rays glittering over the sea, as the opening bars of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas gently drift from the bar of a five-star hotel.

I’ve never really liked spending “the most wonderful time of the year” at home. I’m happy for those who do but, for me, the clichéd traditions and enforced festivities (not to mention the weather) have often prompted me to head for sunnier climes over the festive period.

I’m not the only one, either: Heathrow had its busiest December in 2024, with a 21% increase in people flying on Christmas Day itself, among millions of people travelling abroad over the Christmas period – with the Canary Islands one of the most popular sunny spots, alongside mainland Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Dubai. Some travel to avoid painful reminders of loved ones who are no longer there, while others go to escape the terrible TV and piles of washing-up.

I traded turkey dinners and soap opera specials for lobster thermidor and a week spent working on my tan in Costa Adeje.
 
Known as Tenerife’s most upmarket resort, it offers the widest choice of high-end accommodation, fine dining and designer shopping on the island.

Luxury resort in Tenerife